How much rolling stock ?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi I am a newbie to the forum, but in N Scale for 30 years.

I have a 18 x 9 layout, and model 50’s.

My question is, not how many rolling stock, but is there a mix of freight cars by %, for any given Railroad,

say for C N R in 1950?

Or, how do you tell if a freight car fits your era?

Where do I find this info or can anyone help me with this???

2

Welcome!

The best bet is to get a copy of the ORER(Offical Railroad Equipment Register) for sometime in 1950. You can find them on eBay or via on-line used book sellers of railroad paper stuff. This will have a roster for each railroad, with each type of freight car. A very handy publication! As far as the mix’ - local area my influence the ‘mix’. Thunder Bay will have lots of ore cars, and the prairie areas will have lots of box cars(grain loading). On your layout, the industries you model will have an influence.

On each freight car will be a NEW or Built date. A 1956 built date will not have been around in 1950.

Jim Bernier

3

Thanks Jim, so where do I find this ORER? Is it avalable on line, or Chapters, Borders Etc?

Also do you have a din # that I could order this locally.?

The Freight cars you can buy, from Micro-Trains, Atlas, Etc, where can you find the era

or their models, do they publish this information in their catalogs

Dennis

4

Here’s a link to an ORER for 1958.

ORER for 1958

5

I am unfamiliar with “C N R” railroad, but i am gonna guess that they have a historical society, and probably a website. Would be my choice of starting points!

Tim

6

Hello Tim,

CNR is Canadian National Railroad; Canadian National (CN) for short.

Blaine

7

Hi I live in Guelph and I am looking to know what mix C N Or C P had for freight cars in the 40,s.

Any Ideas?

Thanks Dennis